National Green Tribunal raps Railways for pollution on tracks

The National Green Tribunal on Friday took strong objection to “every conceivable human act contributing to pollution on railway tracks or on railway properties” and directed the Railways to impose fines and take action against those responsible.

The NGT bench asked the general manager, Northern Zone, to file a statement on the number of offenders booked so far and directed the “zonal manager of all Railway zones to start collecting fines from offenders in accordance with Railway Board Rules, 2012.

It that any person found “polluting environment is liable to pay a fine of “Rs 5,000 or such amount as may be determined by the tribunal…

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Meanwhile, the counsel appearing for the Railways told the tribunal that jhuggis constructed near the tracks are the main source of pollution.

The counsel also told the tribunal that Rs 1,125 crore was deposited to the MCD years ago for their removal.

The tribunal directed the commissioners of all three corporations to be present before it on December 24.